Utilizing Neurodevelopmental Research to Inform Interventions for ...
F-35
From the Bottom Up: Utilizing Neurodevelopmental Research to Inform Interventions for Youth with Sexual Behavior Problems
Kevin Creeden, M.A., LMHC Christin Santiago-Calling, B.S.
An increasing body of research has highlighted the neuro-developmental impact of trauma and/or the persistent exposure to a range of adverse experiences in childhood (DeBellis, 2005; Teicher, et al 2002; Perry, 2001). The exposure and adaptation to these experiences have been shown to have immediate and long-term effects across various domains of development including: biology, attachment, emotional regulation, behavioral control, cognition, and self-concept (Fishbein, et al 2009; Cook, et al 2005; Shonk and Cicchetti, 2001). Since many of the youth we treat come to us with their own histories of trauma and disrupted attachments, it is imperative that a neuro-developmental understanding of trauma helps inform our treatment interventions. This workshop focuses on a developmental approach to treating sexual behavior problems. This approach recognizes the sequential nature of the developmental process and the need to have basic developmental skills like attunement, sensory integration, body awareness, and self-regulation in place before higher order demands like social-emotional communication and adaptive problem-solving can be met (Bergman and Creeden, 2011; Perry 2006). Interventions that focus on “bottom-up” rather than “top down” neurological processing that seek to enhance client capacities in these foundation skills in a manner that mirrors a healthy and adaptive developmental trajectory will be discussed and demonstrated.
References Bergman, J. and Creeden, K. (2011). Attachment is a Verb: Experiential treatment for Addressing SelfRegulation and Relationship Issues in Boys With Sexual Behavior Difficulties. In C. Haen (Ed.), Engaging Boys in Treatment: Creative Approaches to the Therapy Process. London: Routledge. Cook, A., Spinazzola, J., Ford, J., Lanktree, C., Blaustein, M., Cloitre, M., et al. (2005). Complex trauma in children and adolescents. Psychiatric Annals, 35, 390–398. Creeden, K. (2005). Trauma, Attachment and Neurodevelopment: Implications for Treating Sexual Behavior Problems. In B. Schwartz (Ed.), The Sexual Offender, Volume V. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research Institute.
DeBellis, M.D. (2001). Developmental traumatology: the psychobiological development of maltreated children and its implications for research, treatment, and policy. Development and Psychopathology. 13, 539-564. Fishbein, D., Warner, T., Krebs, C., Trevarthen, N., Flannery, B., and Hammond, J. (2009). Differential Relationships Between Personal and Community Stressors in Children’s Neurological Functioning. Child Maltreatment, 14, 299-315. Perry, B. (2001). The neurodevelopmental impact of violence in childhood. In Schetky, D. and Benedek, E. (Eds.) Textbook of Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press. Perry, B. (2006). Applying principles of neurodevelopment with maltreated and traumatized children. In N.B. Webb, Working with traumatized youth in child welfare, 27-52. New York: Guilford. Teicher, M., Andersen, S., Polcari, A., Andersen, C., Navalta, C. (2002). Developmental neurobiology of childhood stress and trauma. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 25: 397-426. Shonk, S. M., & Cicchetti, D. (2001). Maltreatment, competency deficits, and risk for academic and behavioral maladjustment. Developmental Psychology, 37, 3–17.
From the Bottom Up: Utilizing Neurodevelopmental Research to Inform Interventions for Youth with Sexual Behavior Problems
Kevin Creeden, M.A., LMHC Christin Santiago-Calling, B.S.
An increasing body of research has highlighted the neuro-developmental impact of trauma and/or the persistent exposure to a range of adverse experiences in childhood (DeBellis, 2005; Teicher, et al 2002; Perry, 2001). The exposure and adaptation to these experiences have been shown to have immediate and long-term effects across various domains of development including: biology, attachment, emotional regulation, behavioral control, cognition, and self-concept (Fishbein, et al 2009; Cook, et al 2005; Shonk and Cicchetti, 2001). Since many of the youth we treat come to us with their own histories of trauma and disrupted attachments, it is imperative that a neuro-developmental understanding of trauma helps inform our treatment interventions. This workshop focuses on a developmental approach to treating sexual behavior problems. This approach recognizes the sequential nature of the developmental process and the need to have basic developmental skills like attunement, sensory integration, body awareness, and self-regulation in place before higher order demands like social-emotional communication and adaptive problem-solving can be met (Bergman and Creeden, 2011; Perry 2006). Interventions that focus on “bottom-up” rather than “top down” neurological processing that seek to enhance client capacities in these foundation skills in a manner that mirrors a healthy and adaptive developmental trajectory will be discussed and demonstrated.
References Bergman, J. and Creeden, K. (2011). Attachment is a Verb: Experiential treatment for Addressing SelfRegulation and Relationship Issues in Boys With Sexual Behavior Difficulties. In C. Haen (Ed.), Engaging Boys in Treatment: Creative Approaches to the Therapy Process. London: Routledge. Cook, A., Spinazzola, J., Ford, J., Lanktree, C., Blaustein, M., Cloitre, M., et al. (2005). Complex trauma in children and adolescents. Psychiatric Annals, 35, 390–398. Creeden, K. (2005). Trauma, Attachment and Neurodevelopment: Implications for Treating Sexual Behavior Problems. In B. Schwartz (Ed.), The Sexual Offender, Volume V. Kingston, NJ: Civic Research Institute.
DeBellis, M.D. (2001). Developmental traumatology: the psychobiological development of maltreated children and its implications for research, treatment, and policy. Development and Psychopathology. 13, 539-564. Fishbein, D., Warner, T., Krebs, C., Trevarthen, N., Flannery, B., and Hammond, J. (2009). Differential Relationships Between Personal and Community Stressors in Children’s Neurological Functioning. Child Maltreatment, 14, 299-315. Perry, B. (2001). The neurodevelopmental impact of violence in childhood. In Schetky, D. and Benedek, E. (Eds.) Textbook of Child and Adolescent Forensic Psychiatry. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press. Perry, B. (2006). Applying principles of neurodevelopment with maltreated and traumatized children. In N.B. Webb, Working with traumatized youth in child welfare, 27-52. New York: Guilford. Teicher, M., Andersen, S., Polcari, A., Andersen, C., Navalta, C. (2002). Developmental neurobiology of childhood stress and trauma. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 25: 397-426. Shonk, S. M., & Cicchetti, D. (2001). Maltreatment, competency deficits, and risk for academic and behavioral maladjustment. Developmental Psychology, 37, 3–17.
